Cuban Health Minister Blames US Fuel Sanctions for Medical Crisis

Cuba's Health Minister says American fuel sanctions are threatening the lives of millions of Cubans by crippling the island's already struggling healthcare system. The minister warns that 5 million people with chronic illnesses could lose access to vital medications and treatments.

HAVANA — American sanctions targeting Cuba’s fuel supply are driving the island nation’s healthcare system toward complete breakdown, according to Cuba’s top health official who spoke out Friday.

Cuba’s medical infrastructure was already facing severe challenges alongside the nation’s struggling economy, with shortages of equipment, personnel, and medications being commonplace. However, the situation has deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks. Emergency vehicles are running out of fuel needed for critical calls. Power failures are repeatedly striking aging medical facilities. Aircraft delivering essential medical supplies have been grounded because Cuba’s government reports it cannot provide fuel for planes at its airports.

International experts and foreign government officials have cautioned that the Caribbean island may be approaching a humanitarian emergency.

During a conversation with The Associated Press, Cuba’s Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda stated that American sanctions have moved beyond merely damaging the island’s economic foundation and are now endangering “basic human safety.”

“You cannot damage a state’s economy without affecting its inhabitants,” Portal said. “This situation could put lives at risk.”

Portal indicated that 5 million Cuban citizens living with long-term medical conditions will experience disruptions to their medications or care. Among these are 16,000 cancer patients who need radiotherapy and an additional 12,400 receiving chemotherapy.

Heart-related medical care, bone and joint treatments, cancer services, and care for severely ill patients dependent on electrical power backup represent the most severely affected specialties, according to the minister. Treatments for kidney conditions and emergency transportation services have also joined the roster of compromised medical services.

The power shortage that Cuba has been battling for years reached unprecedented levels last month following U.S. President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive directive imposing tariffs on nations that sell or supply oil to Cuba. This action followed Trump’s removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by just weeks, along with his declaration that Venezuelan petroleum exports to Cuba would cease.

The island nation, which generates just 40% of its fuel domestically and relies heavily on petroleum for power generation, has historically counted on partnerships with countries like Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia to meet its energy needs. However, these supply lines have now been cut off.

Trump has publicly stated that his broader objective involves forcing governmental change in Cuba through increased economic pressure on the island, which has already endured decades of American sanctions.

Cuban citizens — whom the American government claims to support — are experiencing the severe consequences of the U.S. fuel embargo as daily hardships intensify. Public transportation has reduced service, gasoline is under tight restrictions and available only for foreign currency, and widespread power outages have reached unprecedented levels.

“There’s been a drastic change since January,” said Aniliet Rodríguez, a 25-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted that month to a maternal care center for an extreme case of anemia. “There’s no bread, no milk for nutrition … . There are no medicines.”

Cuba’s medical system operates on a universal, no-cost basis, offering neighborhood clinics throughout communities and government-subsidized pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, it has fallen into crisis mode in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 outbreak. Thousands of physicians earning government salaries insufficient to purchase basic necessities like eggs have left the country, while medical facilities have rapidly declined.

Medication shortages have compelled many citizens to purchase drugs through illegal markets.

These issues are anticipated to intensify in upcoming weeks despite Cuba’s government attempting to adapt to current circumstances, Portal explained. Solar energy systems have been installed at medical facilities while officials focus resources on pediatric and geriatric care.

However, he also noted they have implemented limitations on energy-intensive equipment such as CT scanners and laboratory diagnostics, explaining that physicians must depend on more fundamental treatment approaches, essentially denying many patients access to advanced medical care.

“We are facing an energy siege with direct implications for the lives of Cubans, for the lives of Cuban families,” Portal said.